How Can I Learn AWS for FREE this 2023 (Beginner’s Guide)

For those interested in cloud computing or seeking to upgrade their skills, gaining knowledge of AWS can be a highly beneficial asset. Since AWS is currently the leading cloud service provider, there are numerous resources available, such as free online courses and documentation, which make starting with AWS both an uncomplicated and approachable process. If your goal is to become an AWS certified and you don’t have any experience yet, then read about AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner here.

Here are 5 free AWS resources that you can leverage to kickstart your career in cloud computing:

1. AWS Ramp-Up Guides

Before applying for a job related to AWS, you need to find first the role that fits your interest. With AWS Ramp-up Guide, you can just select a career path, and it will display a list of recommended courses. By following the learning path designed by AWS, you can gain a solid foundation in cloud computing concepts and technologies, learn to use AWS services effectively and develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance in your chosen career path.

2. AWS Skill Builder

The AWS Skill Builders program offers a variety of courses that allow you to gain hands-on experience with AWS technologies while also expanding your understanding of various aspects of cloud computing. Once you access the website, the two free training categories that you can use in the filter are “Digital Course” and “Game-Based Learning”. 

In digital courses, there are three levels of courses: fundamental, intermediate, and advanced. If you don’t have any background yet, stick with the fundamental courses first to have a solid foundation in cloud concepts and services. While in game-based learning, you can select the AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner. In this game, the primary objective is to finish a sequence of quests comprising a collection of challenges associated with AWS services. Each challenge aims to educate players about a particular AWS service or technology and also necessitates them to use the service in a practical manner to accomplish the challenge.

3. AWS Workshops

If you’re still hungry for learning and want to get your hands dirty in using AWS services, then we’ll suggest various websites that you can use. But before you start, you should first create an AWS Free Tier account. This will allow you to get started with AWS and experiment with different services without incurring any charges for a period of 12 months. Be mindful of the service you use because you will be charged for any usage beyond the free tier limits.

The first website that you might want to check out is the AWS Workshops. The workshops offered here are designed by AWS Partners and Experts and are suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals. If you want to experiment with and learn about machine learning, you can create an account in the SageMaker Studio Lab. For more hands-on tutorials, visit AWS Developer Center.

4. AWS Community

When you’re starting out in your career, you can seek professional advice from like-minded individuals, cloud enthusiasts, or mentors on what skills you’ll need to transition into an AWS-related role. If you’re wondering where we can find those people, then you can check out the AWS Community. This website contains a list of communities that you can join, as well as technical events and hands-on workshops. You can also ask or answer technical questions related to AWS in the AWS re:Post. 

5. AWS Practice Exams by Tutorials Dojo

Lastly, in order to validate your skills and knowledge about AWS services, you’ll need to take a certification exam. Having an AWS certification can expand your job opportunities and increase your earning potential. Keep in mind that AWS-certified individuals are in high demand among organizations, and possessing certification can help you stand out among other candidates. 

For practice exams, you can leverage the free test simulator of Tutorials Dojo in their portal. Each question contains a diagram to easily visualize the scenario and a detailed explanation to understand why your answer is correct or incorrect. To also save you time for reading the AWS documentation and whitepapers, you can visit the Tutorials Dojo website and look for the summarized notes called AWS cheat sheets.